Pouring spout for cans and lock therefor



Jan. 18, 1966 c. c. BAYNE POURING SPOUT FOR CANS AND LOCK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 24, 1964 INVEN OR CALVIN CHARLES BAYNE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,229,868 POURING SPOUT FOR CANS AND LOCK THEREFOR Calvin C. Bayne, 7206 Dunglen Court, Baltimore, Md. Filed Nov. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 413,465 3 Claims. (Cl. 222-569) This inventtion relates to a pouring spout for cans, and more particularly to fluid filled cans, such, for example, as beer cans or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a device of the character which covers the lip of a can, so that the contents may be drunk directly from the can without the necessity of the lips or mouth touching the possibly unsanitary rim of the can.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which, by its close configuration with the rim of the can adjacent the opening thereof precludes dripping of the contents onto the person of the user.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which facilitates the pouring of liquid from the can in general.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a locking tab in association with a device of this character which causes the spout to adhere securely to the can top, and prevents accidental dislodgment thereof.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is illustrated a preferred form of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of one form of spout embodying the instant inventive concept shown as applied to a can top.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, parts thereof being broken away.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the pouring spout of the instant invention shown as removed from the can.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the pouring spout of the instant invention is generally indicated at and comprises a base plate 11 of generally semicircular configuration which includes a flat or straight side 12 and an arcuate or semicircular side 13. The plate is provided with an opening 14 therein, which conforms in general configuration to the opening left in the top of a tab top can after the tab has been removed. An annular semicircular groove 15 extends around the periphery of the arcuate side 13 of the plate, and is dimensioned to overlie the bead 16 of a conventional can C, such for example as a beer can or the like.

Extending perpendicularly from the arcuate side of the plate is a flange 17, which tapers from a high portion 18 which is diametrically opposed to the flat side, and of substantial extent, to a pair of low side portions 19, which gradually merge with the ends of the flat side 12. Low portions 19 serve to prevent any drippage from the sides of the device.

A rectangular block 20 is secured to the underside of base plate 11, adjacent the center of the flat side thereof and extends outwardly therefrom a substantial distance.

In the use and operation of the device a can, such as a tab top beer can, is opened in the usual manner, leaving an opening which conforms in configuration to the opening 14. The block 20 is then inserted in the inner or central end of the opening so provided, and the spout seated firmly on the can with the groove 15 engaging snugly over the head 16 of the can. By virtue of this arrangement an individual may drink directly from the can without his lips or mouth coming in contact with the rim of the can, and drippage of the contents is positively precluded by the flange 17. While the device is particularly applicable to tab top cans, it will be understood that it may be applied to other types of cans, in which it is only necessary to punch a central opening, in addition to a side opening, into which the block 20 may be extended.

The device may be made of any desired size, to accommodate any desired size of can, and may be made of any suitable material, although plastic has been generally found to be preferable for the purpose.

If desired, a suitable handle portion (not shown) may be extended laterally from the side of the device, or may extend downwardly therefrom as desired. Such handle is preferably also made of plastic and may be formed integrally with the spout during manufacture.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved pouring spout and locking tab therefor which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A pouring spout for a can comprising a base plate conforming in size and configuration to the beaded top of a can and having an opening therein adapted to overlie an opening in the can top, said plate being generally semicircular, a pouring lip extending in perpendicular relation to the base plate, said lip tapering from a high point centrally of the arcuate side of said base plate to lower portions terminating adjacent the flat side thereof, and a lock block on the underside of said plate adapted to extend through the opening in the can top and engage the underside of the can top adjacent the opening, the arcuate side of said base plate having an undercut annular groove of arcuate cross section adapted to overlie and conform to the bead surrounding the top of a can.

2. The stucture of claim 1 wherein the opening generally conforms in configuration to that of a tab top on a can and the lock block extends centrally of the flat side from the end of the opening to a point beyond the flat side.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the spout and its associated lock block are formed of plastic.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 243,014 6/1881 Van Slyck 222569 2,071,638 2/ 1937 Lauterbach 222-569 2,722,347 11/ 1955 Henke 222570 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A POURING SPOUT FOR A CAN COMPRISING A BASE PLATE CONFORMING IN SIZE AND CONFIGURATION TO THE BEADED TOP OF A CAN AND HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN ADAPTED TO OVERLIE AN OPENING IN THE CAN TOP, SAID PLATE BEING GENERALLY SEMICIRCULAR, A POURING LIP EXTENDING IN PERPENDICULAR RELATION TO THE BASE PLATE, SAID LIP TAPERING FROM A HIGH POINT CENTRALLY OF THE ARCUATE SIDE OF SAID BASE PLATE TO LOWER PORTIONS TERMINATING ADJACENT THE FLAT SIDE THEREOF, AND A LOCK BLOCK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID PLATE ADAPTED 